Fixture hanger



1 I. WOLARSKY May 7, 1935.

FIXTURE HANGER Original Filed Sept. 22, 1931 INVENTOR Isidore W'olars BYATTORNEY Patented May 7, 1935 PATENT OFFICE FIXTURE HANGER IsidoreWolarsky, Mount Vernon, N. Y.

Application September 22, 1931, Serial No. 564,348 Renewed October 5,1934.

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to fixture hangers and is moreparticularly directed toward an adjustable fixture hanger employing arelatively fixed sleeve-like part secured to a fixed support such as anoutlet box and a telescopically received fixture supporting rod, thesleeve and rod having cooperating ratcheting means for coupling the rodand sleeve together to support a fixture in adjusted position and fornormally preventing their separation.

The present invention contemplates fixture hangers of this type whereinthe relatively fixed sleeve carries a spring having two arms eachadapted to enter under a shoulder on the ratchet rod. Each of the armsbridges the bore of the sleeve so that it engages the sleeve at twopoints and the load is assumed in the form of shearing stresses and isdivided in four substantially even parts. This makes it possible to usea piano wire spring of small size. A spring made of wire 0.045 of aninch in diameter can support loads far in excess of the 600 poundsdemanded by the underwriters.

A further object of the present invention is to so design the sleeve andwire spring that one can release the rod by partially rotating thespring about the sleeve to cause it to spread, the spring being retainedon the sleeve.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a key and key-waycapable of standing the 600 inch-pounds tortion test to which this classof hanger is subjected, and so arranged as not to interfere with theremoval of the rod when desired. Other objects of the invention relatesto the provision of fixture hangers wherein sleeves and rods may beprovided with swivels, hickeys, and various forms of threaded ends tofacilitate securing them to various forms of fixtures and to variousforms of support.

The accompanying drawing shows, for purposes of illustrating the presentinvention, several embodiments in which the invention may take form, itbeing understood that the drawing is illustrative of the inventionrather than limiting the same. In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one form of fixture hanger showing itsecured to an irregularly placed outlet box stud and supporting ahanging fixture;

Fig. 1a. is a section taken on the line la|a of Fig. 1, the springbeingshown in dotted lines in the partially turned position forreleasing the rod;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a fixture hanger adapted forsupporting a kitchen unit or wall bracket;

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary view illustrating the use of the rod of Fig. 2for supporting a hickey;

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating a slidable rod connected with a swivel;

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a sleeve provided with an integral swivelcoupled to a crow foot;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the combined crow foot andsleeve; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a slightly modified constructiongenerally similar to Fig. 1.

In Fig. l the slanting stud of an irregularly placed outlet box isindicated at H). To overcome this irregularity, a swivel is employed.The swivel is made in two parts II and I2, part II being threaded on thestud and the part l2 having a lower threaded portion l3 preferably ofthe same size as the stud. The part l2 has aball I4 and the part IIcarries apin l5 entering into a slot in the ball. The lower edge of thepart II is rolled underneath the ball to secure the parts Ii and I2together.

' A tubular member or sleeve is indicated at It.

This sleeve is internally threaded as indicated at H so that it may bethreaded directly on to the outlet box stud or so that it may receivethe threaded partv iii of the swivel. If desired the parts l2 and I6 maybe made integral, as indicated in Fig. 4. "I'he tubular member or sleeveIt has a round bore I8, a longitudinal key-way l9, and two saw cuts 20and 2| arranged opposite one another as indicated more clearly in Figs.la and 2. These saw cuts are made deep enough to intersect the bore asindicated and are adapted to receive the spring 22.

The shape of spring 22 is more clearly shown in Fig. 1a. It has a coiledportion 23 and two similar arms 24 and 25 preferably curved asindicated. These arms enter the slots 20 and 2| formed by the saw cuts.The extreme end portions of the spring are indicated at 25. This springis preferably formed out of piano wire and is provided with the shapeindicated. It is under very slight tension when placed on the sleeve.

The adjustable rod of the fixture hanger is indicated by the letter R.It has various forms as indicated in the different figures of thedrawing but in all cases its upper end is turned to providecircumferential shoulders as indicated at 3i. The outside diameter ofthis rod is slightly smaller than the bore of the tubular member orsleeve so that the rod may easily slide therein. In turning out theshoulders 3i 5 on the rod, inclined surfaces are provided between theshoulders as indicated, so that the rod has a series of circumferentialratchet teeth. Each annular ratchet tooth or serration functions,however, as a pair of ratchet teeth on opposite sides of the rod. Whenthe rod is inserted into the hole in the tubular member, these teethratchet by the spring arms 24 and 135, spreading them as the shoulderspass by. The spring arms enter underneath the shoulders and then preventseparating the parts.

l ne separation of the parts is readily accomplished by applyingpressure as by the thumb to the coil 23 of the spring 22. This willshift the spring to the position indicated in Fig. 1a in dotted lines,and, owing to the curved shape of the arms 24 and 25, the arms arespread apart as indicated. This spreading action takes place without anytendency for the spring to be twisted clear of the slots.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the rod R. carries a key 33 adaptedto slide in the keyway i9 so as to prevent rotation of the rod relativeto the sleeve. Owing to the location of the slot !9, it will be obviousthat the key 33 passes in and out of the sleeve without interference bythe spring.

In the form shown in Fig. l the lower end of the rod R is provided witha transverse hole 49 and an axial hole 41 which provide a hickey wherebythe fixture wires may be passed upwardly. The lower end of the rod isexternally threaded as indicated at 42 to receive a locking ring for thecanopy 44 and a loop 45. In hanging fixtures with this form ofstructure, the rod is inserted into the sleeve far enough so that thespring holds the parts together. The splices are completed and then thefixture and rod raised up to the desired height. The canopy and loop aresecured in the usual manner.

In the form shown in Fig. 2 the lower end of the rod R has a shoulder 50and is provided with external threads and internal threads 52. Thecanopy of a kitchen unit is indicated at 53 and the usual strap at 54.This strap is secured to the rod R by a nut 55 and to the canopy byscrews 56. Substantially the same arrangement would be used for wallbrackets. In mounting a ceiling fixture such as shown in Fig. 2, thecross bar is secured to the rod, the fixture is secured to the crossbar, and then the rod moved up far enough to catch the spring. Thesplicing is completed while the canopy is spaced below the ceiling, andthen the canopy is pushed to bring it against the ceiling or wall, theratcheting means securely holding the canopy in close proximity to thewall or ceiling. Final adjustment can be made by the screws 56 to pressthe edge of the canopy against the plaster. This method of assemblyeliminates the annoyance and delay which is usually occasioned byfishing for the holes in the cross bar in which to insert screws whenthe cross bar is fastened to the outlet box stud without being attachedto the fixture. In Fig. 2a the rod R is shown as supporting an ordinaryhickey 55.

In the form shown in Fig. 3 the rod R" is shown as having a ball 60 atthe lower end. A ball receiving element 6| is secured to the ball in thesame way. as the parts II and [2 are secured together. The parts 60 maybe internally and externally threaded as indicated.

In the form shown in Fig. 4 the crow foot 62 is providedwith a socket 63of the ball and socket joint and the upper end of the sleeve I6 isprovided with a ball 64 integral therewith. This construction makes itpossible to secure the adjustable fixture hanger in places where nooutlet box is used or where no threaded stud is available.

In Fig. 5 the crow foot 65 is provided with a tubular extension 66 whichhas all the parts carried by the tubular member Hi.

In the form shown in Fig. 6 the key-way is carried by the rod R whilethe key is in the form of a pin H carried by the sleeve 1!. Below thehook 13, the rod is provided with internal and external threads asindicated.

In the forms of construction which have been shown above, the same formof sleeve may be utilized in various forms of fixtures and modifiedforms of cooperative slidable members may be provided so as tofacilitate the mounting of many forms of lighting fixtures. When thesedevices are utilized, it is unnecessary to provide the usual extensions,nipples, and hickeys which are customarily employed. If desired, one caninsert a swivel either at the stud of the outlet box or below thesleeve. The swivel may be secured directly to the slidable member asindicated in Fig. 3 or a swivel such as shown in Fig. 1 may be securedto the lower end of a slidable member threaded as indicated in Figs. 2and 6.

It is obvious that the invention may be embodied in many forms andconstructions, and I wish it to be understood that the particular formsshown are but a few of the many forms. Various modifications and changesbeing possible, I do not otherwise limit myself in any way with respectthereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A fixture hanger comprising a tubular supporting sleeve having around bore, a fixture supporting rod having one end telescopicallyreceived and closely fitting within the bore, said end being providedwith downwardly facing ratchet teeth forming shoulders on opposite sidesof the rod, and a wire spring having inwardly pressed arms carried inslots in the supporting sleeve and extending across the bore to engageunderneath opposite shoulders so that the load carried by the rod istransferred to the sleeve by the arms of the spring subjectedto'shearing stresses.

2. A fixture hanger comprising a tubular supporting sleeve having around bore, a fixture supporting rod having one end telescopicallyreceived and closely fitting within the bore, said end being providedwith downwardly facing ratchet teeth forming shoulders on opposite sidesof the rod, and a wire spring having inwardly pressed arms carried inslots in the supporting sleeve and extending across the bore to engageunderneaflrupposite shoulders so that the load carried by the rod istransferred to the sleeve by the arms of the spring subjected toshearing stresses, the ends of the spring extending inwardly to embracethe sleeve and prevent withdrawal 0! the spring from the slots.

3. A fixture hanger comprising a tubular supporting sleeve having around bore, a fixture supporting rod having one end telescopicallyreceived and closely fitting within the bore, said end being providedwith downwardly facing ratchet teeth forming shoulders on opposite sidesof the rod, and a wire spring having inwardly pressed arms carried inslots in the supporting sleeve and extending across the bore to engageunderneath opposite shoulders so that the load canried by the rod istransferred to the sleeve by the arms of the spring subjected toshearing stresses, the arms of the spring which are within the slotsbeing shaped to resist rotation of the spring about the sleeve andspread the arms when turning eiiort is applied to the spring.

4. A fixture hanger comprising a tubular supporting sleeve having around bore, a fixture supporting rod having one end telescopicallyreceived and closely fitting within the bore, said end being providedwith downwardly facing ratchetteeth forming shoulders on opposite sidesof the rod, a wire spring having inwardly pressed arms carried in slotsin the supporting sleeve and extending across the bore to engageunderneath oppo site shoulders so that the load carried by the rod istransferred to the sleeve by the arms of the spring subjected toshearing stresses, a keyway extending longitudinally of the sleevebetween the slots, and a key carried by the rod and fitting the keyway.

5. In a fixture hanger, a relatively fixed tubular member, a fixturesupporting member telescopically received within the tubular member andclosely fitting the same, and cooperative ratcheting means forpermitting the coupling of the members together for securing them inadjusted position and for normally preventing their separation, saidmeans comprising downwardly facing ratchet teeth forming shoulders onopposite sides of the supporting member and a single spring carried bythe tubular member and having two portions each oi which extends acrossthe bore thereof underneath the shoulders of the ratchet teeth wherebyfour points of shear are provided between the spring and each of theother members.

6. In a fixture hanger, a relatively fixed tubular member, a fixturesupporting member telescopically received within the tubular member andclosely fitting the same, cooperative ratcheting means for permittingthe coupling of the members together for securing them in adjustedposition and for normally preventing their separation, said meanscomprising downwardly facing ratchet teeth forming shoulders on oppositesides of the supporting member and a single spring carried by thetubular member and having two portions each of which extends across thebore thereof underneath the shoulders of the ratchet teeth whereby fourpoints of shear are provided between the spring and each of the othermembers, and a key carried by the second member and slidably receivedwithin a key-way in the first tubular member, the key-way being solocated that the key passes by the spring without interference.

'7. A fixture hanger comprising a tubular sleeve having means at theupper end thereof for securing it to an outlet box, a rod closelyfitting in the sleeve and having serrations presenting downwardly facingshoulders, a spring carried in transverse slots extending through theside walls of the sleeve, the spring extending across the bore of thesleeve and being tensioned to enter underneath the shoulders and takethe load so that the portion of the spring in the slots and bore areunder shear.

8. A fixture hanger comprising a supporting unit including a tubularsleeve adapted to be supported from one end and having two transverseslots opposite one another and extending through the side walls adjacentits other end, the sleeve having a round bore, a wire spring membercarried in said slots and having portions extending across the bore, afixture supporting rod closely fitting within the sleeve and havingdownwardly facing ratchet teeth under which both portions of thespring'extending across the bore engage to prevent removal of the rod,and a key carried by 'one of the parts and slidably received in akey-way in the other for preventing relative rotation.

9. A fixture hanger comprising a supporting unit including a tubularsleeve adapted to be supported from one end and having two transverseslots oppositeone another andextending through theside Walls adjacentits end, the sleeve having a round bore, a wire spring member having anexternal coiled portion, internal portions carried in said slots andextending across the bore, and external ends bent toward one another, afixture supporting rod closely fitting within the sleeve and havingdownwardly facing ratchet teeth under which both portions of the springextending across the bore engage to prevent removal of the rod, thespring member shaped so as to spread the internal portions to releasethe rod upon a partial revolution of the spring, and a, key carried byone of the parts and slidably received in a key-way in the other forpreventing relative rotation.

10. A fixture hanger comprising a supporting unit including a tubularsleeve adapted to be supported from one end having two transverse slotsopposite one another and extending through the side walls adjacent itsother end, the sleeve having a round bore, a wire spring member carriedin said slots and having portions extending across the bore, a fixturesupporting rod closely fitting within the sleeve and having downwardlyfacing ratchet teeth under which both portions of the spring extendingacross the bore engage to prevent removal of the rod, and a key carriedby one of the parts and slidably received in a key-way in the other forpreventing relative rotation, the exposed end of the rod having atransverse hole and an axial hole forming a hickey and wire way andbeing threaded below the hickey to facilitate securing a fixture to therod.

11. In a fixture hanger, a tubular member having a round bore and twotransverse slots near one end and opposite one another, the slotsintersecting the bore, and a spring member having a tension coil at oneside of the tubular member, arms extending through the saw cuts andpressed toward one another, and end portions beyond the slots andextending toward one another to embrace the opposite side of the tubularmember, and an insertible member having a cam surface at the end tospread the spring arms and notches spaced from the end to receive thespring arms and prevent removal.

12. In a fixture hanger, a tubular member having a round bore and twotransverse slots near one end and opposite one another, the slotsintersecting the bore, and a spring member having a tension coil at oneside of the tubular member, arms extending throughthe saw cuts andpressed toward one another, and end portions beyond the slots andextending toward one another to embrace the opposite side of the tubularmember, the portions of the spring arms inside the bore being curvedinwardly so as to engage the end of the saw cut and impede rotation ofthe spring bodily about the axis of the tubular member by twistingeffort applied to the coil portion until the spring arms have beenspread to move them out of the bore, and an insertible member having acam surface at the end to spread the spring arms and notches spaced fromthe end to receive the spring arms and prevent removal.

13. In combination, an outlet box fixedly supported in the ceiling andhaving a depending stud, a tubular member secured to the stud, a fixturesupporting member telescopically received in the tubular member,cooperative ratcheting means for permitting disconnectibly coupling thetwo members together to permit pushing the fixture supporting membertoward the stud and preventing its removal, said means including aspring carried by the tubular member, a narrow cross strap secured tothe lower end of the second member, a canopy adapted to receive thenarrow strap across its upper part and having an upper edge adapted toengage the ceiling, and screws for removably securing the canopy to theends of the strap and pressing the edge of the canopy against theceiling, the spring being accessible when the canopy is removed so thatthe tubular member may be released from the stud.

ISIDORE WOLARSKY.

